How to Choose the Right Allergy Medicine
For allergy sufferers, drugs are their best friends. Often without these medicines, their condition gets worse. In addition, it is not uncommon to also use the wrong allergy medication. Therefore, powerful tips are needed to choose the right allergy medicine for you.
How to choose the right allergy medicine
A survey in Australia revealed that of the 296 participants who participated when buying medicines during the fever and allergy season, only 16.5% of them got drugs that could treat allergic symptoms. In addition, most of them also did not seek information about their allergic drugs.
Well, you don't want the disorder that you suffer from getting worse because you have chosen an allergy medicine? Here it is how to determine your medication based on its type.
1. Antihistamines
Antihistamine drugs are often used to treat recurrent allergic symptoms, such as itching, coughing, and sneezing. Well, the way it works is by blocking histamine as a trigger for allergic reactions.
These antihistamines come in various forms, such as:
a. Antihistamin oral
These oral antihistamines are usually in the form of capsules and fluids. Well, generally this drug is used to treat various allergic symptoms below:
- Runny nose
- The eyes are watery and itchy
- Itching and swelling
You are advised not to take these drugs when driving. This is because the side effects of these drugs can cause you to feel sleepy, so it is dangerous to drive after taking antihistamines.
Examples of antihistamine drugs:
- Diphenhydramine
- Chlorpheniramine
- Fexofenadine
- Cetirizine
b. Spray
In addition to oral, antihistamines are also available in sprays to treat sneezing, itching, and runny noses. Not much different from other antihistamines, antihistamine sprays also have side effects, namely, the mouth feels bitter, drowsiness appears, to fever. Usually, you need a doctor's prescription to get this medicine.
- Azelastine
- Olopatadine
c. Eye drops
You can choose antihistamine eye drops at the pharmacy closest to you. Of course, according to the form, this drug is to reduce allergic symptoms such as red and watery eyes. The first time you use it maybe your head will feel dizzy and dry eyes. If after using your eyes feels burning or stung, try storing them in the refrigerator before further use.
2. Decongestants
If you experience allergy symptoms in the form of flu, fever, and sinusitis symptoms, choosing the drug decongestants is the right step. The way these drug works is to reduce the swelling of the blood vessels in your nose to open the respiratory tract.
However, this drug is not recommended for pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, people with heart disease, glaucoma, and hyperthyroidism. Side effects caused by insomnia, headaches, and increased blood pressure. Therefore, choose drugs that are suitable for your type of allergy.
a. Decongestants oral
Capsules and decongestants drug solutions are commonly used to relieve sinus symptoms caused by allergic rhinitis. This type of drug can be found easily at the pharmacy closest to you, such as:
- Cetirizine and pseudoephedrine (Zyrtec-D)
- Desloratadine and pseudoephedrine (Clarinex-D)
- Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrine (Allegra-D)
- Loratadine and pseudoephedrine (Claritin-D)
b. Spray
Decongestants in the form of sprays also aim to relieve sinusitis. However, spray decongestants are only used for short periods of time. If you use it for several weeks, chances are that your condition will get worse.
3. Corticosteroids
If antihistamines and decongestants are not able to relieve your allergic symptoms, try choosing corticosteroids as an alternative to your allergy medication. Usually, corticosteroid drugs are used to relieve allergic symptoms due to inflammation and swelling.
a. Spray
Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids aim to reduce the symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. Although effective, there are side effects that arise if you use this drug, such as nosebleeds, bad smells, and irritation of the nose.
Here are some examples of corticosteroid sprays
- Budesonide (Rhinocort)
- Fluticasone furoate (Flonase Sensimist, Veramyst)
- Fluticasone propionate (Flonase Allergy Relief)
b. Inhaler
For people with asthma, inhalers containing corticosteroids are often used to relieve the symptoms of the allergy. Just like corticosteroid sprays, these inhalers also have side effects that are not much different.
Now, to make it easier for you to choose an allergic drug in the form of an inhaler, here are examples:
- Beclomethasone (Qvar)
- Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler)
- Ciclesonide (Alvesco, Zetonna)
- Fluticasone (Advair Diskus, Flovent Diskus, others)
c. Eye drops
The use of corticosteroid eye drops is generally monitored by a doctor, so there are no complications when using it. Well, even though it sounds rather dangerous, this drug can reduce the symptoms of red and runny eyes when other drugs cannot cure it.
Here are some examples that you can use as a reference when determining your allergy medication.
- Fluorometholone (Flarex, FML)
- Loteprednol (Alrex, Lotemax)
- Prednisolone (Omnipred, Pred Forte, others)
d. Kortikosteroid oral
Just like other forms of oral medicine, this type of corticosteroid serves to fight signs of allergic appearance. However, it is not recommended to use it for a long time. This can lead to cataracts, osteoporosis, weakening of the bones, and increased blood sugar.
So that you do not choose the wrong drug, here are some examples of corticosteroids in the form of pills and fluids.
- Prednisolone (Prelone)
- Prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Rayos)
- Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
e. Cream for the skin
Corticosteroid creams are indeed widely used to treat allergies to the skin. Starting from redness, itching, and flaking of the skin.
Although you can get it at a regular pharmacy, of course, you have to ask this treatment to your doctor. This is intended to avoid side effects if used for a long time, such as skin thinning and disturbing hormone levels.
Choosing drugs to treat allergy symptoms requires precision. If you are worried about using the drug wrong and getting unwanted side effects, ask your doctor first to make sure.
